Mahindra XUV500 vs Skoda Kamiq

What's the difference?

VS
Mahindra XUV500
Mahindra XUV500

2018 price

Skoda Kamiq
Skoda Kamiq

$32,890 - $43,890

2025 price

Summary

2018 Mahindra XUV500
2025 Skoda Kamiq
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Diesel Turbo 4, 2.2L

Turbo 3, 1.0L
Fuel Type
Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
6.7L/100km (combined)

5.5L/100km (combined)
Seating
7

5
Dislikes
  • Underwhelming safety
  • Steering that requires plenty of guesswork
  • Cheap-feeling interior

  • Dual clutch can be fiddly
  • Some minor spec trimmed out
  • Priced alongside AWD or hybrid alternatives
2018 Mahindra XUV500 Summary

Just in case attacking Australia's crowded SUV market with a virtually unheard of Indian brand wasn't a high enough hurdle to leap over, Mahindra had made its task even harder - think a Bollywood version of Mission Impossible - by launching its XUV500 SUV here with a diesel engine (which nobody wanted) and a manual gearbox (which few could even remember how to use). 

Fortunately, it fixed one of those issues late in 2016, finally adding an automatic transmission to the line-up. And now, at long last, it's fixed the other.

This, then, is the petrol-powered XUV500 SUV. And, on paper at least, it's the most sense-making Mahindra to date. 

For one, it's a ferociously cheap way into a new seven-seat SUV. For another, it's pretty well equipped, even from the base level. There's a long warranty, an equally long roadside assistance offering, and there's capped-price servicing, too. 

So, should the mainstream SUV players be looking over their shoulders?

Spoiler alert: no.

View full pricing & specs
2025 Skoda Kamiq Summary

The Skoda Kamiq might be one of Australia’s most underrated vehicles.

As you may or, more likely, may not know, the Kamiq crossover has always been positioned to compete with mainstream players like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3 and Subaru Crosstrek in its own quirky way, which we’ve always quite liked here at CarsGuide.

That’s some tough competition, though, so what does this Skoda do differently to deserve your attention, what’s changed for this year’s update, and do we still think this Skoda should be on your shopping list if you’re considering those other cars?

Read on and we’ll find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2018 Mahindra XUV500 2025 Skoda Kamiq

Change vehicle